Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
Poems of Sentiment: IV. Thought: Poetry: BooksGenius
Richard Henry Hengist Horne (18021884)F
While veered the wind, and flapped the sail—
We saw a snow-white butterfly
Dancing before the fitful gale,
Far out at sea!
His way, of danger nothing knew;
Settled awhile upon the mast,
Then fluttered o’er the waters blue,
Far out at sea.
Beneath, the boundless ocean sheen;
Between them danced the butterfly,
The spirit-life of this vast scene,
Far out at sea.
Seeking the clouds on fragile wings,
Lured by the brighter, purer ray
Which hope’s ecstatic morning brings,
Far out at sea.
Scarce seen—now lost—yet onward borne!
Night comes!—with wind and rain—and he
No more will dance before the Morn,
Far out at sea.
Perhaps not sooner, or worse crossed;
And he hath felt, thought, known, and seen
A larger life and hope—though lost
Far out at sea!